Thursday evening Isaiah and I were driving through Milwaukee traffic in my Hyundai Elantra that occasionally shuts off at stop signs and has a top that does NOT drop. We got on the subject of being filthy rich and decided what we would do if we won twenty million in the lottery. We figured that was a realistic amount, you know, because wining the lottery is realistic.

We talked about traveling the world, quitting our jobs, buying fancy cars (a Jaguar convertible to be exact) and a nice house. We talked about making investments and living off of the interest. We talked about sharing with our families and friends and how we hoped being wealthy wouldn’t change us, or the way they think of us; how we would give everyone great gifts at the holidays and special occasions. It was a fun conversation to have – imagining ourselves throwing cash in the air, rolling around in it and taking pictures of our wealth.

Then we attended a new church this morning. The sermon was about aligning ourselves with the kingdom of God instead of the things of this world, all I could think of was how silly it seemed to want all of those things. To think of how we would spend this enormous amount of money and never once did it cross my mind to give it all away. This stuck in my head that I saw on pinterest…

It is interesting how my perspective was swayed. It is so easy to want in this world – I say as I bombard my brain with clothes, shoes, decorations and food on Pinterest. For me it’s difficult to find that balance of giving and keeping. Louie C.K. says it well…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC4FnfNKwUo

So until I get my 20 mil I guess I really don’t know what I would do but I hope I would continue get rich spiritually by giving instead of getting caught up in what I do not have.

The ring

Isaiah proposed!! And I said YES! It’s already been a month as of tomorrow. Time is flying by being caught up the joys and stresses of planning and budgeting a wedding, I can’t believe this is my first post about this!

I love the way he proposed. I love the ring he used (my maternal grandmother’s). But most of all, I love that I get to spend the rest of my life with such a wonderful man. A man that shows me he loves me. A man that is not afraid to follow his dreams. A man that works hard, inspires me daily and makes my life better in every way. To say I feel blessed is not enough. I feel so undeserving to have a life this full of love and happiness. All that I can do is thank God for what he has given me and pray that he will continue to look after us throughout our lives together – in good times and in bad.

In case you didn’t get a good look at the ring, go ahead and take another. I find myself staring while typing all day…

For the Super Bowl in 2011 (when the Packers won) I made homemade jalapeño poppers from skinnytaste.com. They were green and yellow and they were delicious but for some reason I ended up with the spiciest jalapeños on the planet. The tips of my fingers felt like they we’re being held on the oven door. I spent the first half of the game with my fingers in a glass of milk, pulling them out to clap and high five for the Pack.

This recipe reminds me of that day. One of the best days ever. Our friend Jamie is visiting with her dog Finley and after three hours straight of Isaiah throwing the ball for him on the beach, we were ready for a beer break. We are trying to convince Jamie to move to Milwaukee from Florida and what better way than with food? And Wisconsin beer?

These burgers are spicy and juicy and cheesy. Master griller Isaiah knows how to make a burger.

Here’s how it’s done:

(makes 4 burgers)
4oz soft cream cheese
2 oz shredded sharp cheddar (use yellow if it’s Packer season)
1 jalapeño
4 lean beef 1/4 lb burger patties
4 fresh whole wheat bakery buns
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Cumin
Chipotle seasoning (we have Mrs. Dash)

Dice the jalapeño and mix in a small bowl with the cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Season the burgers with salt, pepper, cumin and chipotle seasoning. Slice and butter the buns to get ready for grill toasting. Cook the burgers on the grill and about two minutes before the burgers are done to your liking, scoop the cream cheese mixture on top and put the buns on the grill to toast. Combine it all for a spicy popper-ish tasting burger.

Serve with a summery side salad to cut the heat. This is just arugula, sliced strawberries and Trader Joe’s champaign vinaigrette (my all time favorite dressing.)

It’s a cool 88 degrees in our house. Ten more and we will have a boy band. Not really my type though, I’m more into the Jax Teller/Ryan Gosling/Isaiah Wells type. Anyway, when I got home I was hungry, but too hot to be hungry, but also too hungry to move past it. I looked in the fridge and we still had some veggies from last weekend when Isaiah’s boss dropped off some farm fresh produce on our doorstep.

I did some chopping and dared to turn on the burner to boil the pasta. It was strenuous.

Here’s what’s in it:
1 cucumber
1 large tomato
10 kalamata olives
1/2 lb of penne
3 oz crumbled feta
1 t Cavender’s Greek seasoning
2 T champagne vinaigrette (I used Trader Joe’s)

Chop the cucumber and tomato. Half the olives and take out the pits if they have them. Boil the pasta until cooked as desired and rinse with cool water. Mix in a bowl with crumbled feta, seasoning and dressing. If you’re really hungry, eat it right away. If you aren’t, let it chill in the fridge for a little while.

It’s perfect for a day like today. A day when I lose all dignity and put an ice cube in my wine because it won’t stay chilled enough while I eat tasty pasta. Oh the problems I endure.

*photos taken by Katherine, learning to use the iPad

Adventures with Katherine and Isaiah in and out of the kitchen are moving to a new spot. What was previously this is now this! It’s a work in progress and I am lucky to have Isaiah’s talents on my side. Hopefully once we get all the details ironed out you will see several posts a week. I am borrowing Mr. iPad from our good friend Johanna to see how it works for stuff like this. She said it’s a welcomed break from toddler goo.

He says he misses you two.

So as our tumblr blog is phased out and the new and improved kazaiah.com becomes real, please follow, comment and make tasty food when you’re hungry.

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